Stock photos can be the difference between a just-okay website and marvelous site. If you are a professional photographer or have a friend who is a professional photographer, you may be already set. You can get on with your website without worrying about expensive and time-consuming photoshoots. But, what if these two do not describe you? You do not have to worry. Cheap stock photos are available in various stock photo sites.

Cheap stock photo sites have extensive libraries with over millions of stock photos to suit your unique theme and subject. You can simply use their search options, which allow you to enter specific keywords relevant to your desired theme or subject. Then, you can choose among the results displayed after your search. With only a small amount of money, you can purchase cheap photos for your project.

You might ask why you have to pay for a small amount of money if you can get free images from the Internet. Consider this. While you may be able to save a few dollars from these freebies, you will be facing a great deal of financial and legal damages in the future. It will not be long until the stock photo police chases after you. Keep in mind that free photos do not include licenses, unlike their cheap counterparts.

Licenses are important when it comes to stock photography. They protect you from copyright infringement violations. Purchasing cheap stock images will give you the licenses you need to use the image anywhere and anytime. As long as you adhere to the license agreement and keep away from the prohibitions, you are safe. You can use the stock photos cheap to complement your message and spice up your website.

What does a $5 dollar photo get you? Characteristically, this amount can get you high-quality royalty-free images that you can use in your website, brochure, blog or any project you like. On the other hand, a free photo will put you at risk for copyright issues that may damage you and your business both legally and financially. Moreover, it can give you the top quality images you need to make a marvelous project.

If you do not feel like giving a small amount for a photo, some cheap stock photo sites offer free photos every week as long as you sign up for them. These free photos can only be used in your website and you have to make a small note to reference the creator.

Choosing between cheap stock images and free photos is an easy decision. Would you rather pay a small amount for risk-free stock photos or pay damages hundred times over with free images?

Do you think you know everything about cheap stock images? If you are in the stock photography industry, it pays to know a lot of things about stock images. It will help you determine where your downloaded images came from and whether they are authorized or not. Here are some of the things you need to know, whether you are a contributor or buyer, about stock photography.

1. Images that come out of your camera are not all good enough to be sold. Ever since the advent of photography, photographers modify their images by playing with their contrasts, curves and levels. In the old days, this means hours in the darkroom. At the present, all it takes is Photoshop. It is important that you take time to fix the blemishes and remove stray twigs to make the images look better. If the images look professional, they will be perceived as professional and their prices reasonable.

2. Real people love signing releases. They really do. It makes them feel beautiful. It makes them feel desired and loved. Most of all, it makes them feel like models. So, never feel embarrassed when you have to ask for a release. Although they may not always consent to sign, the worst they can say to you is no. Hence, do not hesitate to ask them as it opens up new avenues for licensing your cheap stock images.

3. Not all stock distributor contracts are the same. Read all contracts carefully as it will save you from legal issues in the future. You should also understand the terms stated in the contract as well as consider if it is in your best interest before agreeing to the proposed. Keep in mind that some contracts are more equitable than others. Many are negotiable, but you should ask questions to clarify things. Do not sign on anything you cannot understand.

4. Proficiency in editing is imperative. Photo-editing is as much as an art as photography itself. You need to be proficient in editing images in order to create some of the best. Did you know that National Geographic photographers shoot as many as 10,000 images? However, they only choose the best 30 images to be published. If you are submitting bulk images, you may need to professionally edit them to select the best images.

5. The thumbnail is the first thing a client sees. How many restaurants or stores in your local have crappy signs? Have you also wondered if they realize that a good-looking sign can make a difference with their sales? The same applies with cheap stock images. The first thing you notice is the thumbnail. So, when you are creating the image, make sure that the thumbnail pops. If it does not pop, it will not get any click.